P. Some of it is wet, it must be carefully dried.
Miss. B. I’m afraid it’ll blur badly.
P. Well, he at least cannot complain that it has never been opened. One author actually had the audacity to write that his book had never been opened.
Miss B. Had it?
P. I believe not. That joke was on Snap. They botch things in the magazine department. I am careful to open everything. No need to read it.
Miss B. How do you decide on the merits without reading?
P. Easy enough. There is a sort of recognized literary clique. If a book has the countersign it is read; if it comes from an outsider it is returned at once with thanks, etc. Greathead & Wright, in fact all publishers, seek people with a reputation.
Miss B. Dear me, how does an outsider get in then?
P. He doesn’t get in.
Miss B. But how can an author get a reputation till he has published a book?